Worksite vaccination clinics are making it convenient for employees to get a flu shot as well as a whooping cough (pertussis) booster. No reservations are required; all clinics are first-come, first-served.

The clinics, which are offered through Medica and the Minnesota Visiting Nurse Agency, are open to any employee with coverage under the City’s health insurance plan, group numbers 48391, 48417, 48394, 69373, 69374, and 69375. Other insurance is also accepted. Medica covers the full cost of the flu shot or Flu Mist as well as the Tdap vaccine without deductibles or co-pays.

Why get vaccinated

Flu

Getting vaccinated is the best way to avoid the flu’s fever, aches and fatigue as well as the dangerous complications that can cause pneumonia or land you in the hospital. This year’s seasonal flu vaccine will also protect you for the H1N1 flu strain (swine flu).

Whooping cough

Whooping cough, or pertussis, is at epidemic levels in Minnesota, with outbreaks occurring in communities throughout the state. Pertussis is a highly contagious disease caused by bacteria that affects the lungs. It is spread through the air in droplets produced during coughing or sneezing, and typically starts with cold-like symptoms that can include a runny nose, congestion, fever and a mild cough. But after one to two weeks, severe coughing can begin. Unlike the common cold, pertussis can become a series of coughing fits that continues for weeks. Pertussis can cause violent and rapid coughing, over and over, until the air is gone from the lungs and forcing the patient to inhale with a loud "whooping" sound.

Faced with this significantly rising number of cases, the Minneapolis Department of Health and Family Support is urging City employees to get a one-time pertussis booster vaccination (Tdap) to protect themselves and their families from illness.

What to bring to the vaccination clinic

1.Proof of insurance (your Medica insurance card, a photocopy of the front of your Medica card OR proof of coverage under another insurance plan accepted by Minnesota Visiting Nurse Agency).

2.A photo ID (driver’s license or employee ID badge).

What to wear to the vaccination clinic

·Wear clothing that allows access to your upper arm.

No cost to most employees

·There is no cost to City employees who are covered by Medica. Medica covers the full cost of the flu shot or Flu Mist as well as the Tdap vaccine without deductibles or co-pays. All clinics listed are open to any employee with coverage under the City’s health insurance plan, group numbers 48391, 48417, 48394, 69373, 69374, and 69375. Other insurance is also accepted.

·The Minnesota Visiting Nurse Agency also accepts other medical insurance. If you are covered by another insurance program, bring your insurance card.

·Without insurance, the fee is $29 for the flu shot or $32 for the Flu Mist. (Make checks payable to the Minnesota Visiting Nurse Agency.) Without insurance, the cost of the Tdap vaccine is $60.

Additional information about the vaccine clinics

The Minnesota Visiting Nurse Agency will bill an individual for any denied insurance claims, or deductibles and co-pays for non-City plans, up to the full price of the vaccination ($29 for the shot and $32 for Flu Mist).

Each employee will need to sign a consent form before receiving the vaccination.Forms will be available at each vaccination clinic.

Family members may receive flu shots if they are covered under the employee’s City health insurance or other accepted insurance, and they are at least three years old. Children between six months and two years must be seen by their primary provider, or may be scheduled at the MVNA office (www.mvna.org ).

The Minnesota Visiting Nurse Agency will not give seasonal flu shots to people who have:

A severe allergy to eggs or other vaccine components.

Had a serious allergic reaction or other problem after getting an influenza vaccination.